26 June 2008

10 June 2008

Tourism is said to be the world's largest employer. It plays a crucial role in world economics and has a significant impact on many people's lives - but this economic impact has been relatively little studied. It is also hard to quantify less tangible impacts such as the effects of tourism on local cultures. These impacts can be both positive and negative. For example, in many countries of the South, a culture of beach boys has developed which is in stark contrast to their own traditions and customs and this in turn creates conflict in their societies. On the positive side, tourism can encourage pride in local traditions and support local arts and crafts. Tourism brings income to the local communities and supports employment. It can, however, also cause price hikes, especially in land and food, which may be disproportionate to the earnings of the local people.

10 June 2008

Ecotourist destinations are gaining increasing publicity through press and television. The examples provided in the websites below range from the simple to the sophisticated. No judgment is made by this website on the environmental and social credentials of these holidays.

4 June 2008

4 June 2008

Tourism can both aid conservation and protect the rain forests, coastlines, mountains, marine life and endangered species, but it can also contribute to excluding people from designated protected areas.